Dual action toilet flush mechanism

ABSTRACT

A water supply tank apparatus comprises a tank adapted for receiving and storing water; a drain pipe adapted for draining the water from the tank; a fill pipe adapted for filling the tank; a drain shutter adapted for enabling and disabling the draining device; a water level sensor providing a shutter closer adapted for closing the drain shutter at a selectively adjustable low water level; a device for disabling water filling at a selected high water level; and a lever and chain arrangement for opening the drain shutter thereby enabling draining of the tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to toilet water tanks; theirconstruction and operation, and more particularly to such a tank withadvantages resulting in water savings.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Prior art shows many water saver devices, however, none of theprior art shows filling the tank to full capacity in order to maximizehydraulic pressure. None of the prior art shows a toilet apparatus thatboth increases the flushing capacity, and the hydraulic power while atthe same time saving 20 to 55 percent on both water and sewer usage.

[0005] The prior art teaches the use of toilet tank operation in amanner similar to that of the present invention but does not teach theuse of a lever for prematurely closing a flapper valve in a toilet tankdrain so that non-solid toilet debris may be disposed of with much lesswater consumption than with solid toilet debris. The present inventionfulfills these needs and provides further related advantages asdescribed in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention teaches certain benefits in constructionand use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0007] A water supply tank apparatus comprises a tank adapted forreceiving and storing water; a drain pipe adapted for draining the waterfrom the tank; a fill pipe adapted for filling the tank; a drain shutteradapted for enabling and disabling the draining device; a water levelsensor providing a shutter closer adapted for closing the drain shutterat a selectively adjustable low water level; a device for disablingwater filling at a selected high water level; and a lever and chainarrangement for opening the drain shutter thereby enabling draining ofthe tank.

[0008] The major concepts of this invention including, always carryingthe highest possible water level in the toilet tank in order to maximizehydraulic pressure for all flushes; increasing water volume of majorflushes and saving water on minor flushes. The prior art does not teachthis.

[0009] The major concepts of this patent application are designed toenable all of the common household type toilets in use today; both theolder, high-flush models manufactured prior to 1994, and the post 1994low-flush, 1.6 gallon models, to flush significantly better due to theabove defined concepts.

[0010] The low-flush, 1.6 gallon tank models will use an extra gallon ofwater on the major flush, and only 1 gallon on the minor flush, for asavings of over 20 percent. However, this invention allows the current,low-flush, water saver toilets to have a highly efficient flush whenrequired, rather than the mediocre flush now attained by the currentcommercially available toilets. The system allows for an extra gallon ormore of water; actually up to 3.6 gallons on a toilet rated at 1.6gallons, for high volume flushing, while reducing the average flush to agallon or less. This results in an overall, daily water saving of over21 percent on average. So the greatest benefit on the low flush toiletswill be a flush that is better than the older high-flow models, whilestill saving over 21% on the water and really, closer to 40% or morewhen considering the multiple flushes necessary with the current lowflush models.

[0011] The older, high flow models flush in an improved manner whenusing the present invention, due to the increased hydraulic pressure.Water savings will average over 50%. The system is made up of a single,one piece float apparatus, with a flapper control foot plate attached tothe bottom of the aperture tube that slides up and down over theoverflow pipe to control the water volume of each flush. The float has atubular aperture down the center that fits snugly over the overflowpipe, this allows the float to slide freely up and down the pipe, asrequired.

[0012] The preferred method is to simply replace the complete flushvalve assembly including the overflow pipe. This is a very practical andefficient method, and the least expensive.

[0013] The invention will work equally well on other flush valvesdesigned by Mansfield Plumbing Products Inc. with a slightly differentand even simpler float design. However it will be more efficient andsimpler to replace the complete flush valve assembly.

[0014] The existing low flush and water saver toilet tanks, probablyrepresent over 90% of toilet tanks installed since 1994. Interestingly,these tanks will actually hold over four gallons of water which allowsthem to use over three gallons of water for the main flush (nearlydouble the designed volume). However, this is not necessary, as theextra gallon gives a flush capacity of 2.6 gallons. When this iscombined with the extra hydraulic pressure, it is more than enough for avery powerful flush. Both the Flush Valve and the Fill Valve areinterchangeable in all toilet tanks and can be replaced easily.

[0015] Normally, it will be necessary to replace the existing fill valveapparatus as most existing ones simply cannot maximize the tank waterlevel properly. It is recommend that the typical float ball and otherparaphernalia that are part of most fill valves be discarded andreplaced by the fill valve manufactured by the Fluidmaster Corp. as itis very efficient with this inventions modifications, and much cheaper.The other fill valve that gives the desired hydraulic pressure ismanufactured by the Masco Corporation, and variously named, Filpro,Peerless, and Delta.

[0016] A flapper coffer dam, a partition around the flapper valve, isused to control the maximum volume of the major flush. It is a cupshaped basin formed of light plastic that surrounds the flush valve andmakes sure that the final gallon of water in the tank is saved. It mustbe large enough to allow the float to close the flapper valve properly,and mounts under the flush valve.

[0017] The volume of water to be flushed is controlled by the weight ofthe float. This in turn controls when the flapper control foot platecloses the flapper valve. To adjust the weight of the float we simplyadd water to the float by means of a hole in the top of the float. Thishole is sealed with an air-tight cap in order to prevent any evaporationof the water inside (ballast). This foot plate is an integral part ofthe float and is positioned for making an optimum contact with theflapper.

[0018] The float is preferably made of plastic and could probably beinjection molded, or fabricated in one piece. The plastic foot can bemade separately and simply cemented or press fitted to the base of thefloat aperture sleeve in order to form an integrated one piece floatapparatus. Alternatively it could be formed of a rust proof metal suchas aluminum.

[0019] The invention also includes a Dry Basin, shown in FIG. 2. Ifnecessary, this basin can be used on some toilet tanks to insure thatwater does not leak out the of Tank Lever Handle Hole in the toilettank. This Dry Basin can also be used to maximize the hydraulic pressureon some tanks through overfilling.

[0020] Alternatively, in most cases the existing flush valves can beadapted to the invention. The various manufacturers have slightdifferences in the diameter of their overflow pipes so the float isadvantageously designed to fit the overflow pipe with the largestdiameter. A universal overflow pipe for the smaller diameter overflowpipes, whose outside diameter is correct for the float aperture sleeveis then used. This tube would be longer and can simply be placed overthe existing overflow pipe and cemented in place. This has the addedadvantage of providing an overflow pipe that is adjustable to thehighest water level possible in the tank and it is simply cut-off forthe chosen water level. Other tubes could simply have an extensioncemented to the top of the overflow pipe. Conversely, the sleeve can becemented to the inside of the tubular aperture sleeve to bring theinside diameter of the float aperture sleeve down to the proper size,and would allow the float assembly to slide freely up and down theoverflow pipe. In this case an extension is cemented to the existingoverflow tube and cut it off at the ideal water level.

[0021] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantagesnot taught by the prior art.

[0022] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of dualwater volume control.

[0023] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable ofadaptation of the millions of existing toilets to dual operation at avery low cost.

[0024] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capableof simple and reliable operation.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. Insuch drawings:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a schematic section view in elevation of a firstpreferred embodiment of the invention adapting a common toilet tank; and

[0028]FIG. 2 is a schematic section view in elevation of a secondpreferred embodiment of the invention adapting a further common toilettank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention inat least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined indetail in the following description.

[0030] In a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1,a water supply tank apparatus comprises a tank 10 adapted, for receivingand storing water, a draining means 20 adapted for draining the waterfrom the tank 10, a water filling means 30 adapted for filling the tank10, a drain shuttering means 40 adapted for enabling and disabling thedraining means 20, and a water level sensing means 50 providing ashutter closing means 60 adapted for closing the drain shuttering means40 at a selected low water level 37. The invention further provides awater head pressure sensing means 70 adapted for disabling the waterfilling means 30, as for instance through a shut-off valve 72, uponsensing a selected water head pressure when the water level reaches ahigh water level 35. The invention still further provides a means foropening 80 the drain shuttering means 40 so as to enable the drainingmeans 20 for draining the tank 10.

[0031] The water tank 10 may be any such tank well known in the art. Thedraining means 20, the water filling means 30, the drain shutteringmeans 40, the water level sensing means 50 and the water head pressuresensing means 70, as well as the means for opening 80, are all wellknown fixtures in toilet tanks and are used in the present apparatus inthe well known common manner found in the art. The water head pressuresensing means 70 controls a shut-off valve which is a part of thesensing means 70. The shutter closing means 60, is a departure from theprior art and comprises an arm engaged with and extending laterally fromthe water level sensing means 50, preferably a float mounted forvertical movement with the water level on a tube 52. Operation will bedescribed below.

[0032] In a second embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 2,the apparatus is very similar to that of the first embodiment, but thehigh water level 35 is controlled by the water level sensing means 50through a mechanical linkage including rod 90 fixed to mechanicallyactuated shut-off valve 74 by lever arm 80′. This is well known in theart.

[0033] Water level sensing means 50 is preferably a float and itpreferably has a means for filling with water or other ballast 100 so asto control its buoyancy and thus its vertical position along rod 52.This enables the positioning of arm 60 and thus the tank's low waterlevel 37.

[0034] In operation, the drain shuttering means 40 is closed as shown inFIG. 2. The tank is initially filled through water filling means 30since, the valve 72 is open without a water head pressure present(FIG. 1) or with lever 80′ in the down position (FIG. 2). Lever 80 isalso relaxed so that chain 82 does not exert an upward force onshuttering means 40. When the water level reaches it selected upperlimit level 35, the water head pressure sensor 70 closed valve 72 (FIG.1), or in FIG. 2, the water sensing means 50, preferably a float,reaches its upwardly extreme position driving rod 90 and lever arm 80′upwardly as well, and closes valve 74. The tank 10 remains in the filledstate until lever 80 is manually actuated. This actuation may be easilyautomated as well. Lever 80 is thus moved to its upward attitude asshown in solid lines in FIG. 1, and this pulls drain shuttering means40, preferably a stopper, into its open position as also shown inFIG. 1. When this occurs, the water starts to drain through drainingmeans 20 and at the same time water level sensing means 40 drops withthe water level. In conventional tanks of this type, when the waterlevel reaches element 40, element 40 hinges to the closed position underits own weight. However, this means that the tank must almost fullydrain. When a light flush, as for a draining urine from a toilet, a fulltank of water is not desirable, is unnecessary, and is wasteful. Thus,shutter closing means 60 is positioned to mechanically press on element40 to force it closed prematurely so that the flush cycle is finishedwith water level 37 still remaining in the tank 10. When a full flush isdesired, one may simple hold lever 80 in the up position so that element40 cannot close prematurely and the entire tank will drain to the levelof a coffer dam, if used (not shown). This is desirable for drainingsolid waste from a toilet in order to obtain maximum flush action. Itshould be noted that the position of rod 90 is selected so that althoughelement 60 is in contact with element 40 when element 40 is in itsupward and open position, so that element 50 is not fully lowered, stillvalve 74 is fully open.

[0035] While the invention has been described with reference to at leastone preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather,the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction withthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water supply tank apparatus comprising a tankadapted for receiving and storing water; a draining means adapted fordraining the water from the tank; a water filling means adapted forfilling the tank; a drain shuttering means adapted for enabling anddisabling the draining means; a water level sensing means providing ashutter closing means adapted for closing the drain shuttering means 40at a selectively adjustable low water level; a means for disabling thewater filling means at a selected high water level; and a means foropening of the drain shuttering means thereby enabling the drainingmeans for draining the tank.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thewater level sensing means is a water head pressure sensing means adaptedupon sensing a selected water head pressure.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the water level sensing means controls a shut-off valve througha mechanical linkage.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waterlevel sensing means is a hollow float providing means for insertingballast therewithin.